Last year saw the debut of an all-new model, the LBX, in the Lexus lineup, bringing a whole new energy to the company family. It is not only the smallest car of the Japanese brand with a new generation of hybrid drive, but also a compact urban SUV, which expands the company’s offer and involves it in a new market segment, oriented towards European tastes. This is a significant step, as this is the first Lexus model designed specifically with the needs and wants of Europeans in mind.
Breakthrough Goals
It is the first Japanese model to be built on the GA-B global small car architecture platform. It has several essential features that guarantee real driving pleasure – low center of gravity, wide transverse base, particularly rigid body, as well as short body overhangs.
Already in the name of the model it is encoded that it embodies a new concept. The manufacturer does not hide that with the LBX, or Lexus Breakthrough Crossover, it hopes to achieve a breakthrough and attract a new audience, which, along with other great features, should also appeal to a competitive price. In Latvia, LBX will cost from 35,600 euros.
The new model starts a unique revolution in car construction: it demonstrates that even a small car can embody luxury, manifested in high-quality materials and the most modern technologies. Much emphasis is placed on the most advanced technologies in the field of safety: the LBX, like the larger Lexus sedans and SUVs, is equipped with the Lexus Safety System+, which includes many safety and driver support systems.
It has several early warning features. In the event of danger, safety systems take over control of the steering wheel and brakes to help avoid or mitigate the effects of a collision. The most important technologies also include emergency braking with cornering assistant, dynamic cruise control, as well as lane keeping assistant.
In addition to that, several other systems will ensure safer driving and maneuvering: electronic door unlocking that helps passengers get out of the car safely, driver vigilance monitoring, as well as smart parking sensors with automatic braking and rear cross traffic warning.
A new audience
All these features and the manufacturer’s reputation for producing quality, durable, reliable and efficient cars with hybrid engines over the years make the Lexus LBX much more attractive to young people and perhaps people who are new to the brand.
Another trump card when thinking about a new audience is the wide possibilities of individualization. The manufacturer emphasizes this by offering not equipment levels, but five styles that can be further individualized with additional options. Nine colors are offered for the exterior alone and at least eight more combinations with two-tone paint.
“We wanted to offer an alternative to the usual luxury concept. We tried to create a dialogue between the driver and the sophisticated design car while driving,” said project chief engineer Kunihiko Endo at the LBX presentation.
The most advanced hybrid
It is also important that the manufacturer uses a new generation hybrid power unit in this model. Thanks to its efficiency, the average fuel consumption is only 4.5 liters per 100 km. The Lexus hybrid electric drive system includes a compact and lightweight 1.5-liter three-cylinder internal combustion engine. The main components of the hybrid system, including the transmission and power unit, have been significantly improved in order to reduce the car’s weight, dimensions of the drive, energy losses, as well as increase performance.
This engine has the best thermal efficiency in the world. This is ensured by fast fuel mixture ignition technology, optimized intake and laser-cut intake valve seats. Other noteworthy elements are ultra-light pistons suitable for high revs, as well as electronically controlled dynamic valves.
The LBX is also fitted with a new bipolar nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery with increased capacity and energy efficiency. It provides additional support to the electric motor during acceleration and extends the range reserve in 100% electric mode.
The LBX SUV is equipped with authentic Lexus E-Four all-wheel drive. It includes an additional electric motor mounted on the rear axle. When accelerating, cornering and moving on surfaces with poor traction, the system automatically transfers traction to the rear wheels, helping to maintain the car’s stability and increasing driver confidence.
The latest Lexus model LBX is already available for test drives at the manufacturer’s representatives in Latvia.
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